1 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY THE INFLUENCE OF VIEWS REGARDING SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY ON FEMALE LEADERSHIP: THE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST AFRICAN AMERICAN DENOMINATION A Prospectus Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education by Cynthia D. McZeal Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 2021 2 THE INFLUENCE OF VIEWS REGARDING SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY ON FEMALE LEADERSHIP: THE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST AFRICAN AMERICAN DENOMINATION by Cynthia D. McZeal A Prospectus Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education June 09, 2021 APPROVED BY: __________________________________ Dr. Mary Lowe, Dissertation Supervisor __________________________________ Dr. Steve Lowe, Second Reader 3 Abstract The purpose of the proposed exploratory research study is to examine how different views on scriptural authority regarding female leadership impact women in leadership in the Independent Baptist African American denominational church. The research is necessitated by the extant complementarian-egalitarian debates on scriptural authority regarding female leadership in the selected religious denomination, the high view of scripture amongst evangelicals, and the increasing growth of women’s influence on the evangelical church. There have been little, if any efforts, to understand how various views regarding scriptural authority affect women in leadership in the Independent Baptist African American Denominational Church setting. The main research question for the study was, given the framework of the Independent Baptist African American denomination, how do the different views on scriptural authority regarding female leadership impact women in leadership? The research methodology was qualitative and explorative, encompassing in-person interviews and focus assemblies with female leaders in the Independent Baptist African American denomination. The debates on whether women should lead were deemed part of free expression within the church environment. The collected data were transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis. The results showed that while egalitarian, complementarian, and high views of scripture existed in this denomination, such ideas did not affect the work of female leaders materially. Female leaders were instead influenced by their own opinions on the authority of scripture about female leadership. Thus, it was recommended that leadership training and mentorship accommodate female leaders who are ideologically inclined to only serve under male headship, as well as those who believe in unfettered access to leadership positions in the church. 4 Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. Liberty University has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the University, including, without limitation, preservation, or instruction. 5 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of my loving grandmother, who taught me to trust God and never give up on my desires. 6 Table of Contents ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………3 Copyright………………………………………………………………………………….4 Dedication………………………………………………………………………...……….5 Table of Contents………………………………………………………….…………...….6 Definition of Terms………………………………………………………………………11 CHAPTER ONE: RESEARCH CONCERN ............................................................... 13 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 13 Background of the study ............................................................................................... 15 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 19 Purpose Statement ......................................................................................................... 20 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 20 Main Research Question ........................................................................................... 20 Sub Questions............................................................................................................ 20 Assumptions and Delimitations .................................................................................... 20 Assumptions .............................................................................................................. 20 Delimitations ............................................................................................................. 21 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................. 22 Summary of the Design ................................................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................... 26 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 26 Theological Framework for the Study .......................................................................... 26 7 Dominion................................................................................................................... 27 Dignity....................................................................................................................... 29 Oneness in the Body of Christ ................................................................................... 34 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 37 Biblical Egalitarianism ............................................................................................. 37 Complementarianism ................................................................................................ 42 Practical and Biblical Reality of Women in leadership ............................................ 46 Effects of Societal Values, Attitudes, and Views on Women in Leadership ............... 48 Complementarian and Egalitarian Views ...................................................................... 50 High View of Scripture ................................................................................................. 55 Women Leadership in the Evangelical Churches ......................................................... 57 Rationale for the study .................................................................................................. 60 Gaps in the Literature.................................................................................................... 60 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER THREE: EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ............................................... 62 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 62 Research Design Synopsis ............................................................................................ 62 Main Research Question ........................................................................................... 63 Sub Questions............................................................................................................ 63 Overview of Explorative Research ............................................................................... 63 Qualitative Research Method ........................................................................................ 66 Setting ........................................................................................................................... 68 Participants .................................................................................................................... 69 8 Sampling ....................................................................................................................... 69 Sample Size ................................................................................................................... 69 Instruments .................................................................................................................... 70 Data Collection and Analysis ........................................................................................ 70 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................. 71 Precedent Literature ...................................................................................................... 72 Chapter Summary ......................................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ..................................................................................... 74 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 74 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 74 Research Question One ............................................................................................. 74 Research Question Two ............................................................................................. 74 Research Question Three .........................................................................................